Indian Pangolin
Manis crassicaudata
About the Indian Pangolin
The only mammal covered entirely in overlapping keratin scales. When threatened, the pangolin rolls into an impenetrable ball that even leopards cannot open. Nocturnal and solitary, it feeds exclusively on ants and termites with a long, sticky tongue that extends up to 10 inches. It is one of the most elusive animals in Wilpattu.
Best Months to Visit
Warm months (March-September) on night drives.
Wilpattu Significance
Pangolins are present in Wilpattu but rarely seen. A sighting is one of the rarest and most prized observations in the park. Night drives offer the only realistic chance. Warm, humid nights when ants and termites are active give you the best odds.
Conservation Status
Endangered (IUCN). Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world, poached for their scales and meat. Wilpattu's protected status is vital for their survival in Sri Lanka.
Best Locations in Wilpattu
- Termite mound areas near Mahaweva
- Manikwila forest
- rocky outcrops
Viewing Tips
- 1Night drives are essential — pangolins are strictly nocturnal
- 2Look for them on roads at night — they cross open ground between forest patches
- 3Warm, humid nights after rain are best — termites are most active
- 4If you see one, keep the spotlight low and avoid sudden movements
- 5They will curl into a ball if threatened — once curled, wait quietly for them to unroll
Photography Tips
- Red-filtered light is less disturbing to pangolins than white light
- Use high ISO and a wide aperture — ambient light is limited
- Focus on the unique scale texture for a striking detail shot
- A pangolin walking on its hind legs (using its tail for balance) is the holy grail shot
Did You Know?
Pangolins walk on their hind legs with their front paws and tail raised off the ground, looking remarkably like a tiny dinosaur. Their scales make up about 20% of their total body weight.
Ready to see the Indian Pangolin in the wild? Book a Wilpattu safari with expert naturalists who know exactly where and when to find them.